Focus Brands — parent company of Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli and Schlotzsky's — has promoted former senior vice president of human resources, Melissa Smith, to chief people officer after more than eight years in various positions in the company.

Smith’s promotion was announced among several other executive appointments at Focus Brands, including Kendall Ware, chief brand officer for Carvel and Cinnabon; Alisa Gmelich, chief brand officer for Auntie Anne’s, Cynthia Liu, vice president of Marketing for Auntie Anne's; and Danielle Porto Parra, vice president of Marketing for McAlister's Deli.

"This year has been about r....